Learn from the best and experience a unique form of art at an upcoming Okotoks workshop.
Sheep River artist in residence Wanru Kemp, specializing in watercolour paintings, will be teaching the community Chinese ink painting, brush calligraphy and more at a free all-ages workshop on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Okotoks Public Library.
"Kids usually start with calligraphy," said Kemp, who is hosting the youth-friendly portion of the workshop from 11 a.m. to noon for children ages six to 12.
"If you want to do Chinese ink painting, you cannot escape practicing calligraphy," she continued. "It's the foundation of Chinese ink art."
After the youth portion wraps up, the segment of the workshop for ages 13-and-over takes place from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
The workshop will serve as an introduction to many aspects of traditional Chinese art and calligraphy, including tradition and appropriate posture.
"I find that the philosophy behind it is also important for Chinese art and culture," she explained. "When you write calligraphy, you have to sit straight... how you hold a brush, how you control the ink on the rice paper.
"You are writing with black ink, but you are actually writing on white paper... you are creating the space between the brush stroke and between each character, when you have that space, the energy flows between each character."
Hailing from northeast China, Kemp moved to Canada in 2016 and found herself captivated by the country's contrasting beauty, including the scenery of the Pacific Ocean shadowed by the towering Rockies, in turn juxtaposed with the Prairies.
Kemp's residency during September has focused on developing a series of art pieces that reflects the unique landscapes of the Foothills, capturing the expressive nature of the area and fostering an appreciation for the natural world.
Along with her drawings, Kemp will produce one sketch a day over the course of her residency, for a total of over 20. Kemp is collecting the sounds of nature along the Sheep River to create a soundscape.
“Her work beautifully intertwines cultural heritage with ecological awareness, creating a narrative that not only honours the past but also aims to inspire a sustainable future," said Neil Bantleman, vice president of the Okotoks Arts Council, following Kemp's selection as the 2024 Sheep River artist in residence in May.
Follow along with Kemp's Sheep River residency on her website, where she posts her progress.
More information about Kemp and her artwork is also available on her Instagram page.
